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Variety Plus Icon Read Next: The Best ‘Real Housewives’ Merch to Gift Bravoholics in 2026
Feb 8, 2026 7:01am PT
How to Watch the 2026 Puppy Bowl Online Without Cable for Free
By
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union via Getty Images
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With Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara kicking off later today, there’s counter-programming for those who are fans of cute puppies and football with Puppy Bowl XXII.
Although the Puppy Bowl is a chance for viewers to watch Team Ruff take on Team Fluff in an adorable battle for gridiron glory, it’s also an adoption event to showcase rescue dogs looking for a new home. In fact, last year’s event drew in nearly 13 million viewers, as it was the highest rated broadcast in Puppy Bowl history. Warner Bros. Discovery, who owns the event, is hoping for more viewers in 2026.
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Airing on Sunday, Feb. 8, Puppy Bowl XXII kickoffs at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT, while preshow coverage begins at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. It broadcasts across cable networks, including Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, TBS and truTV, as it livestreams on HBO Max (via Hulu and Disney+ Bundle).
How to Watch Puppy Bowl 2026 Online: Livestream Without Cable
If you don’t have cable, the best ways to stream online, especially for free, is with DirecTV. Right now, the cable alternative is offering a 5-day free trial, so you can watch the game for free.
Meanwhile, the Puppy Bowl is streamable with Sling and Hulu + Live TV — all of which offer Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, TBS and truTV.
Want to watch online? Check out the best ways to stream Puppy Bowl XXII, below:
DirecTV
DirecTV
DirecTV is one of the best ways for cable-cutters to access live TV from home.
Starting at $49.99 for the first month of service ($89.99/month afterwards), you get access to the streaming service’s “Entertainment” package for Puppy Bowl XXII on Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, TBS and truTV. It includes NBC, ABC, CBS, ESPN and other networks — more than 90 channels, in total.
HBO Max
HBO Max
The streaming service starts at $9.99/month for the ad-supported plan
While HBO Max doesn’t offer a free trial, you can bundle HBO Max with Hulu and Disney+ starting at $16.99/month.
Additionally, you can get HBO Max through Prime Video as a channel add-on starting at $9.99/month. Not an Amazon Prime member? Sign up for a 30-day free trial to take advantage of all that Amazon Prime has to offer, including access to Prime Video and Prime Gaming; fast free shipping in less than two days; in-store discounts at Whole Foods Market, access to exclusive shopping events — like Prime Day and Black Friday — and more.
Sign up to watch Puppy Bowl XXII online, along with other TV shows, like “Hacks,” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and hit movies, like “Barbie,” “Wonka” and “Priscilla.” You can access live sports for pro leagues, like the NHL, MLB and MotoGP, as well as live news from CNN.
Sling TV
Sling TV
Sling is one of the best options for affordable live streaming
The Sling Orange + Blue package, which includes Discovery Channel, TBS and truTV, goes for $45.99/month. Additionally, you can add Discovery+, which comes with Animal Planet, for an extra $5.99/month. Please note: Pricing and channel availability are subject to your local TV market.
Hulu
Hulu + Live TV
Prices start at $89.99/month.
For another great option, check out Hulu + Live TV for live channel streaming Puppy Bowl XXII with access to Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, TBS and truTV. It has more than 95 other channels, as well as access to hit originals on Disney+, Hulu and ESPN Unlimited.
watch Puppy Bowl XXII with DirecTV
The Puppy Bowl 2026 broadcasts across Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, TBS and truTV, with a start time of 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT. The best ways to watch online without cable is with DirecTV, which is currently offering a 5-day free trial.
In the meantime, watch the Puppy Bowl XXII starting lineup in action, below:
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